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Brown Sugar Box by Izzy & Liv Review + Coupon – December 2018

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Box Review Top

Brown Sugar Box by Izzy & Liv
4.7 overall rating
3 Ratings | 3 Reviews

Brown Sugar Box is a monthly women of color lifestyle subscription box offering tees, accessories and lifestyle products designed by and made for Women of Color. 

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Opened Box Top

Each Brown Sugar Box includes a graphic tank or tee and 4-5 additional full-size products ranging from drinkware, accessories, bags, jewelry, makeup, housewares, and stationery. All items are from black-owned businesses.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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About Brown Sugar Box

The Subscription Box: Brown Sugar Box

The Cost: $39.95 per month + $4.95 shipping

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTTIME20

The Products: 1 graphic tee or tank plus 4-5 additional full-size lifestyle products

Ships to: the US for $4.95 and International for $12.95

Good to Know: Boxes are shipped around the 15th of each month. When purchasing a subscription, you have the opportunity to select your t-shirt size and fit preference.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 “Flawless” Review

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Each Brown Sugar Box includes a mini magazine that highlights the theme of the box, list the products included and offers interesting and inspiring articles.

This article provides a look back at the year's Brown Sugar Box themes and provides details of all the items included in this month’s “Flawless” box.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Magazine Inside Top 2

Highlighted in this article are some of the year's most memorable moments from Meghan Markle's wedding, Simone Biles title wins, Cicely Tyson's honorary Oscar award and Jada Pinkett's popular new talk show Red Table Talk.

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The next article offers tips for getting into the holiday spirit like decorating, watching holiday movies and baking your favorite holiday treats.

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Are you always on the lookout for the latest fashion trends? This article highlights five fashion trends for the winter. The baby blues and layering trends are my favorite.

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If you plan on watching holiday movies to get into the holiday spirit, check out these four black holiday movies you may not have seen.

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The New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the things you want to leave in the past and the goals you want to set for the future. This article suggests some things we should leave behind in 2018.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Magazine Inside Top 7

Next up is five ways to give back this holiday seasons with suggestions such as feeding the homeless, donating to charities, and giving blood. The next article is a gift guide featuring some of Izzy & Liv’s favorite items.

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This “Sleigh into the Season” playlist will help you get into the holiday mood. Luther Vandross’ Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is one of my favorites. The next article list FAQs about the Brown Sugar Box subscription.

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Brown Sugar Babes are invited to share pictures of themselves on social media for a chance to win a free box. Highlighted are pictures from various boxes in 2018.

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The back cover of the magazine has a picture of a very beautiful black woman and invites you to join the Izzy & Liv members-only lounge on Facebook.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Flawless T-Shirt Top Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Flawless T-Shirt Closup Front

“Flawless” Tee – Listed Retail Value $28

This Fa-la-la-la Flawless tee is super cute. I’ve always been a fan of the Brown Sugar Box exclusive t-shirts. Last year's holiday t-shirt was long-sleeved so I was hoping that this one would be as well but no such luck.

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Brown Sugar Babe 2019 Calendar – Listed Retail Value $15

Last year’s calendar was a celebration of the beauty of black women. When I heard that this year’s calendar would feature real Brown Sugar Babes (subscribers to the Brown Sugar Box), I was super excited. The ladies are beautiful and it’s fun to see them excited to be featured in the 2019 calendar. My only wish is that Izzy & Liv would not have finished the photos with what looks like a SnapChat filter. It’s artistic but also really odd in my opinion. What do you think?

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Faux Fur Collar – Listed Retail Value $20

This faux fur collar is on trend. I received the black collar (1 of 3 colors) in my box. In my opinion, it's the best color and doesn't look or feel cheaply made. However, the extremely small button loop is virtually impossible to secure.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Leatherette Trifold Wallet Top

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Leatherette Trifold Wallet Closup Front

Leatherette Trifold Wallet – Listed Retail Value $12

I received the blush pink color wallet (1 of 4 colors) and I while I'm not a fan of the wallet itself, I do love the color. However, the wallet does not look like the wallet pictured in the magazine. The wallet pictured looks larger, more rectangular, has a smoother texture, a more pigmented color, a longer tassel, and a triangular closure. There was a lot of confusion in the Brown Sugar Lounge about this wallet and the Izzy & Liv holiday cash ($5 off coupon) included inside. I think it stems primarily from the misrepresentation of the item in the magazine and also from subscribers not reading the description carefully.

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Satin-Lined Beanie Hat – Listed Retail Value $24

I like this hat! I received the blue hat (1 of 5 colors) in my box. I like the color, the knit texture, that it is oversized, and has a satin-like lining which helps protect your hair from breakage and frizz.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Druzy Jewelry Set Top Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Druzy Jewelry Set Closup 1 Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Druzy Jewelry Set Closup 2

Druzy Jewelry Set – Listed Retail Value $27

I received the emerald green and gold jewelry set (1 of 3 colors) in my box. If only I had a glitzy and glamorous party to attend! I love the color and the stone texture. I just wish it was a little less overdone. The understated version of these pieces would be gorgeous.

Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Leatherette Bucket Bag Front Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Leatherette Bucket Bag Inside Top Brown Sugar Box December 2018 - Leatherette Bucket Bag Closup Side

Leatherette Bucket Bag – Listed Retail Value $12

I received the blush pink color purse (1 of 4 colors). I don’t necessarily dislike this purse but it’s not my style and seems more appropriate for a young girl. It’s also completely unlined in the inside and doesn’t have any pockets. I’ll plan to regift this to my niece. I think she’d love it!

Verdict: I’ve been a Brown Sugar Box subscriber from the very beginning. Izzy & Liv is a brand with a mission that I love to support. My opinion of recent boxes has varied greatly – from the very disappointing October box to the phenomenal November box to this "just OK" December box. I've said before that I'm not a fan of boxes with too many wearable items. They often suffer from sizing issues and poor quality. However, I actually adored the collar and the beanie in this month's box. I always love the t-shirts. The wallet and bag were disappointing and I'm on the fence about the calendar and jewelry set. I would have loved to see those items swapped for maybe a nice winter mug and hot cocoa, pretty stationary, or a home décor item. I love when Brown Sugar Box has a variety of items and partners with other black-owned businesses. Finally, what's the deal with all the color selections? There is always endless discussion and swapping of items that come in multiple colors in the Brown Sugar Lounge. If we, as subscribers, can’t pick the colors we prefer, then I don’t see the point. Do I still love this box? Of course, I do! It’s still worth it for me. Let’s see what next month’s box has in store for us?

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up today to receive next month's box.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTTIME20

Value Breakdown: The listed retail value of this box is $138. At $44.90 a box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item: 

  • Flawless Tee – $9.11
  • 2019 Calendar – $4.88
  • Faux Fur Collar – $6.50
  • Leatherette Wallet – $3.90
  • Satin-Lined Beanie Hat – $7.80
  • Druzy Jewelry Set – $8.78
  • Leatherette Bag – $3.90

Check out all of our Brown Sugar Box reviews and more women of color subscription boxes in the Women Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of this month’s Brown Sugar Box?

Starting at $39.95
Active Deal
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Use Coupon Code FIRSTTIME20
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"As a Brown Sugar Box Subscriber, you’ll get a box filled with the BEST of Izzy & Liv including best sellers, new releases and limited edition (subscriber-only) products. Your box will include 5-6 products every month. You will always get at least one Izzy & Liv tee, tank or sweatshirt al... read more.

Shatae Hutchinson
Shatae Hutchinson
Hi, I’m Shatae; pronounced shhh-tay! I work in IT Healthcare, I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 cool kids. I am obsessed with black culture, lifestyle, travel and art made by and featuring women of color. I also love trendy plus-size fashion and accessories, eclectic and bohemian home décor and all things self-care, mental health and fitness. My favorite box is Izzy & Liv’s Brown Sugar Box; a monthly box offering tees, accessories and lifestyle products designed for black women. I also subscribe to TheSelfCareBox, FabFitFun, CauseBox and Merkaela. Being a wife and full-time working mom, subscription boxes are one of the few things that are just for me! They are fun, convenient, reasonably priced and full of surprises.

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8 comments

Nich

Awesome review!!!

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Shatae

Thanks Nich!

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Michelle

I totally agree about the filters. I, personally wish they would go away. I am so tired of seeing people pretending to be kitties and big unreal eyes etc. Celebrate who you are and quit trying to be something you aren’t.

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Shatae

Same! I really wonder the reasoning behind this.

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LisaFalana

Great Review as usual. I LOVED this box! I wore the tshirt to host Xmas dinner. I HOLLERED when I saw the hat! I said to my husband, “SEE! This is something only other black women would think of, this is why its important for us to make things for us!” I got the same blush pink items, they’re cute and I’ll probably use them on my upcoming cruise next month… You know, my only issue with this box is that it comes so late in the month. Anyway, I’m sitting at my desk enjoying my lunch…in my black silk lined hat! Happy New Year!!!

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Shatae

LOL, Lisa! Exactly! At first glance of the hat I thought “Oh, please be lined”! I did a little happy dance. The hat is one of my favorite items from this month’s box.

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Vicki

Those are the cutest earrings! If they were Blue and silver, I would be begging for a swap for a piece I bought from Rocksbox to have matching earrings (I got a bracelet). They look great on you!
Quick nitpick, you might want to blur the shop coupon code if it’s still good unless the box doesn’t mind. I zoomed in wanting to read what the bill said.
Again, great earrings and they go really well with your eyes and skintone. Good job with the review too, just jealous a bit on the earrings 😉

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Shatae

Hey Vicki! Thanks for the comment and the suggestion. Blue and silver would be everything! About the coupon cash, I initially forgot to edit out the coupon code but have since updated the images and will follow-up to see if they can be posted.

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